The Australian Open witnessed a groundbreaking achievement for Italian tennis! On January 24, 2026, Lorenzo Musetti, Jannik Sinner, and Luciano Darderi made history by becoming the first trio of Italian men to reach the fourth round of this prestigious tournament. But here's the catch: this feat has only been achieved eight times across all majors, and just three times in the Open Era!
Musetti, the world No. 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings, fought an intense battle against Tomas Machac, winning in five sets after a grueling four hours and 27 minutes. This victory propelled him into the last 16 for the first time in his career. Musetti expressed his pride in being part of this historic trio, especially as it marked his personal milestone at the Australian Open.
Darderi, the 22nd seed, also had a remarkable performance, defeating the 15th seed Karen Khachanov to secure his spot in the fourth round of a major for the very first time. His next challenge will be a tough one, as he faces the two-time defending champion Sinner, who previously defeated Eliot Spizzirri in a demanding match.
This achievement is even more remarkable considering that Sinner was the first Italian man to win the Australian Open in 2024. The last time two Italian men advanced to the fourth round at this major was in 2025, when Sinner claimed the title alongside Lorenzo Sonego.
And this is where it gets even more intriguing: the last time three Italians made it to the fourth round at any major was at Wimbledon last season. So, will this trend continue? Can the Italians maintain their momentum and make further history in Melbourne? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Italian contingent is making its mark on the tennis world!
